Eddins says that the actions of other Ivies have highlighted that Harvard “is way behind on gender-neutral housing,” and, comparing participation in the pilot program to a “states’ rights”-style ratification system, continues to work to recruit Houses into the program.

Students like Sasanka N. Jinadasa ’15, a member of the Queer Advisory Council, stress that while the referendum represents a step forward in expanding awareness of and universalizing access to gender-neutral housing, it will not necessarily compel administrators to take action.

“Even if the referendum passes, we need to petition the House masters to support gender-inclusive housing policies in all the Houses,” she says.

This article has been revised to reflect the following clarification:

CLARIFICATION: Nov. 22, 2013

An earlier version of this article stated that Cabot House administrators denied Joshua D. Blecher-Cohen ’16’s request for mixed-gender housing last spring. To clarify, House administrators did not agree to consider his request.